Council has also approved more flexibility around residential use in buildings under 70 feet tall.

But NPA Councillor Melissa De Genova voted against the proposal, saying she’s concerned that businesses will be run out by high property taxes.

Here’s a closer look at the #Chinatown proposal – the column marked “proposal” is what has been approved by council + amendment that allows flexibility for residential uses in buildings under 70 ft tall in Southern Chinatown @CKNWpic.twitter.com/6EBNKkUcZW

She said the UNESCO heritage status would be great, but she’s not sure that Chinatown will get it.

“If we don’t look at what the incentives are to keep these businesses there, to allow all types of people to live in Chinatown, those from low income to market, then what we’re going to see is Chinatown will become a ghost town before we’re able to secure UNESCO world heritage status.”